E-Class trams boosting capacity on Route 86

One of Melbourne's busiest tram routes is now able to carry more
passengers with the introduction of E-Class trams on Route 86.

The high-capacity, low-floor trams are the largest, safest and
most accessible in the fleet and able to carry 210 passengers when
full.

Route 86 runs between Bundoora RMIT and Waterfront City
Docklands and enables more than one million trips per year through
suburbs such as Preston, Thornbury, Northcote, and Collingwood.

The Victorian Government has invested $1.1 billion in 70 E-Class
trams and associated depot and infrastructure upgrades, creating
significant service delivery improvements for the people of
Melbourne.

The continued introduction of E-Class trams is part of an
ongoing program to make tram stops and trams more accessible.

Yarra Trams CEO, Nicolas Gindt said: "Trams are a heavy lifter
in Melbourne with more than 200 million trips per year and the
ongoing roll out of E-Class trams will help the tram network cater
for the growth of Melbourne.

"We know that our passengers appreciate the space, comfort and
information provided by E-Class trams to improve the travel
experience.

"As more E-Class trams are added to Route 86, B-Class trams will
be redeployed to other routes to increase capacity across the
network."

Above: New Preston Depot received an
automated Yard Management System as part of a $190 million upgrade
to make tram movements safer and more efficient

Route 86 operates from New Preston Depot, which was transformed
into a modern depot and workshop that sets a new standard for
employee facilities, technology and automation.

E-Class trams already operate on Routes 96 and 11. All 70
E-Class trams are expected to be operating on the network by the
end of 2018.